Transforming Communities to Uphold Health Rights of Adolescent Girls and Boys in Zambia

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In the Eastern Province of Zambia, a concerning trend has been emerging. A recent baseline survey by CARE found that two out of every five girls under the age of 19 are already mothers. Young mothers often face discrimination and stigmatization causing them to drop out of school. They become excluded from crucial Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) services despite having the greatest need for such services.  

Febby Mwanza, Community Health Entrepreneur at Kasengwa. CARE International/Gift Katuta.

Since 2003, Febby Mwanza, a 55-year-old mother of three, from Kasenengwa District, has worked as a Community Health Entrepreneur (CHE) with LiveWell​, a CARE Social Business​. The Social Business trains ​Community Health Volunteers (CHVs)​ on business, entrepreneurial skills, and basic healthcare training to guide communities and supply them with affordable health products to ​sell ​within their communities. "As a CHE, I sell different medicines like contraceptive drugs and deliver information to community members to prevent them from having diarrhea, malaria, and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs),” said Febby. However, Febby did not know how to engage with the youth on Sexual reproductive and health rights. 

 

Early this year, the Forum for African Women Educationalist Zambia (FAWEZA) reported that more than 16,000 girls drop out of school every year due to early marriages and teenage pregnancies. Moreover, approximately 75 percent of young people surveyed reported that SRH service delivery does not align with their needs. To address this issue, CARE and partners initiated the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Economic Empowerment (SHE-SOARS) project to deliver Sexual Reproductive Health services & ​​support to out-of-school adolescent girls and boys in Chadiza, Kasenengwa, and Mambwe districts.  

 

“Since SHE-SOARS came, we have added family planning products which we have learned to use and in turn teach the communities. I always ensure to share the knowledge with the young people buying products from me so that they know how to use them correctly,” said Febby Mwanza. Now, Febby has become approachable, especially among young people in their community. 

 

Christabel Machila, SHE SOARS Project Manager, CARE International in Zambia said, “There is a cultural and social change as young people, community members, and leaders have started to accept the conversations around sexual and reproductive health rights and information services among adolescents. They understand the importance of engaging adolescents in sexual and reproductive conversations and health services, especially for girls. Through the SHE SOARS project, CARE aims to ensure the youth lead their rights, aspirations and ideas influence the program implementation.” 

 

Febby’s contribution positively impacts her community and her household since through the project, she earns an income to be able to meet her family’s needs such as uniforms, books, shoes, and other school items.” 

 

Despite obstacles like product shortages and the lack of transportation, the gained momentum of the SHE SOARS project gives Febby hope as she looks forward. She knows with increased support and resources, she can continue to be a crucial source of health and information for her community, particularly for young girls aspiring to overcome the challenges they face.  

 

As of now, ​​160 Community Health Entrepreneurs have been trained and over 5,000 adolescents have been reached. The SHE SOARS project hopes to reach 190,000 adolescent girls and over 50,000 boys to access essential health ​commodities ​and understand their rights. Through the Community Health Entrepreneurs model, CARE hopes to ensure SRH commodities are delivered to the last mile. 

 

In the Eastern Province of Zambia, a new chapter was unfolding—one where young girls and women would have the knowledge and services needed to take control of their health and futures, with community members like Febby at the forefront of this positive change. 

 

For more information on the SHE SOARS project, click here 

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